TSPLOST would give west Chatham County's major roadways more lanes and better walkability
Chatham County’s westside saw the most growth this past decade and its major roadways are feeling the strain of increased traffic and, at times, unbearable congestion. The influx of more cars and people are not lost on municipal leaders and engineers.
“We know the growth is happening out there,” said Chatham County Engineer Suzanne Cooler. “In addition to heavier traffic, there’s a lack of pedestrian improvements.”
Widening and repairing several of west Chatham County’s main arteries – Pooler Parkway, Quacco Road, Little Neck Road, John Carter Road, and Benton Boulevard – are top priorities for the county and its municipalities if millions in funding come by way of the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
Here’s a look at the major West Chatham roadway projects on the TSPLOST list:
TSPLOST referendum
At the bottom of Chatham County voters' general election ballot is a referendum seeking enactment of a Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. If approved by majority vote, TSPLOST would mean an additional 1% sales tax on goods and services sold within Chatham County to be collected for the next five years. TSPLOST revenue can only be used for transportation-related projects.
A team of Savannah Morning News journalists examined the major roads, bridges, trails sidewalks and other infrastructure to be improved using TSPLOST dollars.
Roads: West Chatham arteries to be widened
Interchanges: Interstate 95 exits get upgrades
Flyover: President Street railroad tracks to be addressed
Trails and sidewalks: Tide to Town trail network gets infusion
Check out each TSPLOST project: interactive website details each proposed improvement
Benton Boulevard
Where is it?
This two-lane road runs north-south from Port Wentworth into portions of Savannah as well as Pooler. The section of road that will see improvements runs from Georgia 30 to Town Center Drive.
What is it?
Proposed improvements will widen the road from two lanes to four.
What will it cost?
$32 million. This is a Tier 1 project for both Port Wentworth ($7.3 million) and Savannah ($24.5 million).
Savannah plans to do its portion of improvements in two phases. The first section will extend from Highlands to Jimmy Deloach Parkway. The second phase will run from Jimmy Deloach to Town Center Drive.
When will it be done?
The project is currently in its conceptual design phase. There is no estimated timeline.
What do municipality leaders say?
“The widening of Benton will help direct more cars off of Georgia 21 and, therefore, improve congestion in the city,” said Port Wentworth City Manager Steve Davis.
Pooler Parkway/Quacco Road
Where is it?
Pooler Parkway runs north-south through Pooler and switches into Quacco Road once it passes Interstate 16. Quacco Road then runs south until it hits U.S. 17.
What is it?
Pooler Parkway, which runs between Benton Blvd. and I-16, will most likely be widened. The city is still considering what capacity, operational and safety improvements need to be done.
Pooler will sponsor improvements for the northern portion of Quacco Road, extending to the I-95 overpass. Pedestrian and drainage improvements will be part of the project. Bridge improvements are also on the TSPLOST list.
Chatham County will sponsor the section of Quacco from I-95 to U.S. 17. The city will most likely three-lane the two-lane road. Pedestrian and drainage improvements will also be part of the project.
What will it cost?
The combined cost is nearly $26 million, with $5.8 million for Pooler Parkway, $16 million for Quacco Road and $4 million in improve the I-95 overpass bridge on Quacco Road.
When will it be done?
Pooler did not give a timeline for its portion of the project.
Chatham County anticipates road widening and drainage improvements to be done some time in 2025. The county already began improvements for Quacco last fall.
More: First City Progress: Chatham County-owned roads slated for improvements, widenings
What do the experts say?
On Quacco Road: “We have a higher than statewide average of pedestrians being hit there,” said Assistant County Engineer Nathaniel Panther, “Adding turn lanes at the intersections is going to make it safer for everyone. It’s going to give people a place they can wait to make their maneuver and not have to fear getting rear-ended. It’s going to be significant.”
Little Neck Road
Where is it?
Little Neck runs nearly parallel to Quacco. Shifting from the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway north of I-16, Little Neck runs south until it hits U.S. 17.
What is it?
Chatham County will widen the 8.5-mile stretch of road from I-16 to U.S. 17, excluding the bridge over I-95. County engineers say they will first conduct a corridor study to determine whether the two-lane road needs to be widened to three or four lanes.
The project will also rebuild the existing pavement section from Ogeechee Road to I-16. Sidewalks, trails as well as water quality and stormwater improvements will be part of the project as well.
What will it cost?
Chatham County is investing $50 million.
When will it done?
No timeline yet. A corridor study, preliminary and final design, and right-of-way acquisition needs to be completed first.
What do the experts say?
“The road is old and needs reconstructing for damage caused from years of wear and tear,” said County Engineer Cooler.
John Carter Road
Where is it?
A 3-mile stretch running east-west between Old River Road and Little Neck Road, part of unincorporated Chatham County.
What is it?
Chatham County will sponsor the entire section of road. The first step is doing the corridor study, which will determine operational and safety improvements. The county is considering expanding to three or four lanes.
What will it cost?
Chatham County will invest $8 million.
When will it be done?
Timeline is to be determined after studies are completed.
What do the experts say?
What makes this road a priority? According to Cooler, the growth on the west side, both industrial and residential. If improved, the road will serve unincorporated Chatham, Bloomingdale and Savannah.
Nancy Guan is the general assignment reporter covering Chatham County municipalities. Reach her at nguan@gannett.com or on Twitter @nancyguann.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: TSPLOST would widen and improve West Chatham County's main roadways
